I have always really enjoyed the first night back at school – catching up with everyone and finding out how their summers went. But for me, and many other members of the class of 2008, this first night back was markedly different. Now, when I saw people for the first time, I had an entire semester to catch up on.
I spent my spring semester in London, England. It was amazing, and everything I dreamed it would be. Boarding the flight to come back to America was one of the hardest things I have ever done. However, it was not nearly as hard as the readjustment I faced at home.
First, I had gained what I affectionately referred to as “the Euro 15,” as did almost everyone I know. So, the first readjustment? Getting to the gym.
Then there was getting used to the U.S. dollar, people driving on the right side of the road, beer in cans and not pints, and not being able to fly to another country for a weekend getaway.
By August, I was pretty sure I mastered it. Until I got back to Fairfield.
I had readjusted to home, sure, but had I readjusted to college and all that entails?
It wasn’t easy, by any means. Coming back to school made me feel like I was getting off that plane all over again. The realization set in that I was back to the life I lived before I studied abroad.
There is a lot I still need to get used to: classes that involve hard work, professors who don’t take “Sorry, I was in Paris” as an excuse for why you missed your final, and police who actually seem to care if I drink in public.
Don’t get me wrong, there was a lot I missed, a lot I’m happy I came back to in the U.S., namely the beach, my friend and not having my money be cut in half by the high exchange rate. After a while, I even missed actually learning in my classes.
And, thankfully, there was at least a support system here. The Study Abroad Office, which was a huge help before I left, was also a remarkably huge help when I arrived back on campus.
On Wednesday, Sept. 12, the office threw a welcome back dinner for all of those who had studied abroad, giving us a chance to see everyone’s pictures and hear everyone’s stories. It was nice to be around a group of people who knew what I was going through.
Of course, I still miss London.
I lived a dream, and Fairfield is no London. But then again, London is no Fairfield, either.
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